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Brilliant Classics

Longo: Chamber Music for violin/viola & piano

$14.99

Details

Composer
Alessandro Longo
Artist
Gran Duo Italiano, Mauro Tortorelli, Angela Meluso
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Jul 24, 2026
Catalog #
BRI97495
UPC
5063758974950

About

Alessandro Longo (1864-1945) was an influential Italian composer, pianist, and musicologist whose legacy is often linked to his scholarly editions of Domenico Scarlatti's keyboard works. Yet his own compositions reveal a refined musical voice shaped by late-Romantic lyricism, classical balance, and Italian melodic elegance. Central to Longo's style is a clear, singing melodic line, often entrusted to the violin while the piano provides a harmonically rich and supportive texture. His works frequently employ a warm tonal language, with occasional excursions into modal or chromatic inflections that reflect the broader European trends of his time. Rather than pursuing virtuosic display for it's own sake, Longo typically emphasizes expressive nuance and poised interaction between the two instruments. Among his most representative compositions for this ensemble are his character pieces and salon-style works, which combine lyrical charm with formal clarity. These include graceful miniatures such as the Romanza, shaped by a cantabile violin line and elegantly crafted accompaniment. In these pieces, Longo demonstrates his gift for shaping compact musical forms that evoke atmosphere and emotional depth without excess. His more expansive works-such as the larger-scale multi-movement suites-display a broader architectural sense, often organizing thematic materials through subtle variation and motivic development. Played by the Gran Duo Italiano, Mauro Tortorelli (violin) and Angela Meluso (piano), whose previous recordings for Brilliant Classics (Saint-Saëns, Milhaud, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Scalero, Santoliquido, Caetani, Fano) were highly praised in the international press. "Tortorelli is equally impressive on viola and on violin... On both instruments he spins a flawless, silky line with perfect intonation." (Fanfare, May 2017 - Milhaud). "This release is not just for violinists and lovers of violin music; it's for everyone. Urgently recommended." (Fanfare, July 2021 - Scalero), "Sympathetic performance... employing many idiomatic (at least to the period) expressive devices." (Fanfare, May 2015 - Saint-Saëns)

Tracklist 10 tracks

  1. 1 I. Preludio 06:23
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Preludio
    Duration
    06:23
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  2. 2 II. Intermezzo 06:30
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Intermezzo
    Duration
    06:30
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  3. 3 III. Finale 06:06
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Finale
    Duration
    06:06
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  4. 4 I. Berceuse: Andante con moto 03:08
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Berceuse: Andante con moto
    Duration
    03:08
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  5. 5 II. Canzonetta: Allegretto 03:29
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Canzonetta: Allegretto
    Duration
    03:29
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  6. 6 III. Tempo di gavotta: Allegro deciso 03:46
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Tempo di gavotta: Allegro deciso
    Duration
    03:46
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  7. 7 I. Preludio: Moderato 04:43
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Preludio: Moderato
    Duration
    04:43
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  8. 8 II. Romanza: Andante mosso 05:21
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Romanza: Andante mosso
    Duration
    05:21
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  9. 9 III. Finale: Allegro appassionato 04:06
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Finale: Allegro appassionato
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano
  10. 10 Suite for Cello and Piano, Op. 44: I. Romanza: Andantino (arr. M. Tortorelli for 5-string violin and piano) 04:18
    Track
    10
    Title
    Suite for Cello and Piano, Op. 44: I. Romanza: Andantino (arr. M. Tortorelli for 5-string violin and piano)
    Duration
    04:18
    Composer
    Alessandro Longo
    Ensemble
    Gran Duo Italiano